Ed Miliband's cheap gag mars PMQs slugfest

After his Darling duck last week, Ed Miliband took a deep breath and went on the economy, or more precisely the unemployment numbers. He played to one of Labour's favourite issues – jobs – with vigour. He sounded confident and had a strong hand to play. Today's figures are dire for the government because they underscore the absence of growth and the perilousness of our position. But his economic flank remains dangerously exposed: he was on the bridge when the last government steered us towards the rocks and the crisis that is behind the rising jobless rate.

David Cameron tried to turn the tables on 'Spend More' Ed by pointing out that the Labour leader's answer to the crisis is to spend more money we don't have. He picked up on Edward's failure to mention that across the channel the euro is on fire, a far greater worry. Mr Miliband riposted by accusing Dave of trying to distract from his troubles by going foreign. But the highlight – or in fact lowlight – was Mr Miliband's dig at George Osborne, who has 'lashed himself to the mast' of his economic policy. The word 'lashed' produced lots of knowing laughs and a look of discomfort on the Chancellor's face.

Reaction seems to give the round to Mr Miliband for that alone. For my money, it's why he spoiled it. Last week Mr Cameron got into trouble for an ungallant tilt at Nadine Dorries, which at least looked accidental. This was deliberate, and poor show. Nothing wrong with sticking it to the Chancellor if you are on the Labour side, but Ed M should leave the dirty work to his backbenchers.

PS: It's worth noting that Dave took two hostile questions from his own MPs about the planning business, including one from Zac Goldsmith.